The Best things to do and see in Kauai Hawaii
- Shoshana Weed
- Jun 30
- 11 min read
If you've never been to Kauai, Hawaii, you're in for a real treat! Kauai is my favorite Hawaiian island. It really has the best of everything. I'm talking stunning beaches, magical sunrises and sunsets, lots of really great hiking opportunities, and so much wildlife, including turtles, dolphins, and monk seals. And the food scene is stellar here too!
So, if you're ready for a really dreamy vacation full of breathtaking views, lots of hiking, beach time, and delicious food, then you're in the right place!
Let's dig into everything you need to know about Kauai!
Kauai is the oldest and most northern island in Hawaii. The beauty of this place is just magical, from the towering jagged cliffs of the Na Pali coast to the stunning rainforest! I'm sure you can guess why it's nicknamed the "Garden Island."
Before planning your trip to Kauai, here are some things to know. The five main areas in Kauai are Lihue, the East Side, the South Shore, the North Shore, and the West Side. The weather does vary a bit based on location. It takes about 3-4 hours to drive across the island. You will want to rent a car so you can see and explore the island!
The North Shore is my absolute favorite area in Kauai because it is just absolutely breathtaking! Think lush green landscapes, epic hikes with stellar views, gorgeous beaches; it really has it all, and the drive there is just out-of-this-world beautiful! However, thanks to its tropical climate, it does tend to get more rain than the south shore, especially during the winter months.
The South Shore is also stunning in its own way. It's not as green and lush, but what it lacks in that, it makes up for with its stunning beaches and sunny weather! It's known as the sunnier side of the island and also for its popular beaches: Poipu and Brennecke's Beach. The average weather is daily highs in the upper 70s and lower 80s. Even though the North Shore is my favorite, I really loved the South Shore too and wouldn't hesitate to come back here again! I recommend for your first time in Kauai that you check out both places and get a feel for your favorite area. You really can't go wrong no matter where you choose to stay in Kauai!
The East Side is a great place to stay, particularly as a home base since it's in between both the North and South Shores. There are also a lot of hiking opportunities here and some great beaches too, including Kealia Beach, Lydgate State Park, and Anahola Beach. The East Side includes the towns of Kapaa and Lihue, which is where the airport is, so if you stay here, you will be conveniently close to the airport also. There are lots of great restaurants and cafes in this area as well. This area is considered the more "budget-friendly" area to stay in. Fun fact: the East Side is also called "The Coconut Coast." I stayed in this general area the first time I visited Kauai, and I can attest that it's a really great location to be in.
The west side of the island is known for its small-town charm and the stunning Waimea Canyon, often referred to as the "Grand Canyon of the Pacific," and Koke'e State Park. This is the least popular area to stay in. If you stay on this side of the island, you will be close to Waimea Canyon and Koke'e State Park but pretty far from everything else. The best option for exploring this area is to stay in Poipu or Koloa on the South Shore or Kapaa on the East Shore.
When is the best time to visit Kauai Hawaii?
There is no "wrong" time to visit Kauai! Thanks to its tropical climate, the weather is often warm year-round. The average temperature ranges from 84 degrees to 69 degrees Fahrenheit year-round. However there are "better times of the year" to go depending on what you want to do and see.
For instance, if you want to see whales, the whale watching season is from December to May, and the peak whale watching months are between January and early April. The beaches in the North Shore are safest for swimming in the summer months when the current is not as strong. The rainy season is from November to March, although it can rain any time of the year in Kauai. I went in October and then again in January and it actually rained more in October than it did when I was there in January, so just be prepared for possible rain.
Okay now that we've talked through the basics let's talk about the best things to do and see in Kauai.
Let's start with hiking. This is by far my favorite activity in Kauai and there's no shortage of amazing hikes here.
Hike the "Kalalau Trail"
If you're up for an adventure and want to hike along the Na'Pali coast then this is a perfect hike for you! It's 11 miles one way so 22 miles RT. Most people choose to camp along the way, note that you will need a permit to camp.
The trail starts at Ke'e Beach and ends at Kalalau Beach. The only places you are allowed to camp are at Hanakoa and Kalalau. You can hike the first two miles of this trail without a camping permit; it will take you to Hanakapi'ai and up to Hanakapi'ai Falls. However, you still need a day pass/reservation for this hike. In order to go beyond the 2 miles, you will need a camping permit even if you aren't planning to camp. Camping permits are available up to 90 days in advance. You can access day passes or permits here.
Hike the "Okolehao Trail"on the North shore
The Okolehao trail on the North shore of Kauai will reward you with spectacular views of Hanalei Bay, Verdant Hanalei Valley, Makena, Kilauea Lighthouse, and the Napali Coast. This is one of my favorite hikes that I've done in Kauai. It's a fun hike. It's 2.5 miles out and back and you will be hiking up. I would rate this hike as moderate. The elevation gain is 853 feet. Note that this trail can be very muddy if you go after it has rained. We got lucky and it was actually pretty dry the whole way for us. There are a lot of tree roots along the trail so wear very sturdy shoes.
Waimea Canyon
Head to the South Side of the island for an epic adventure at Waimea Canyon. There are actually two state parks in Waimea Canyon: "Waimea Canyon State Park" and "Koke'e State Park." You can easily see both in one day. Try to plan for a clear day so you can have the best viewpoint opportunities. We made the mistake of going on a cloudy day, and there was a lot that we couldn't see. Luckily, we had already been before on a very clear, sunny day! The drive to the park is stunning, and there are lots of places to pull over and enjoy the views. I highly recommend going for a hike. There are lots of ample hiking opportunities here.
I recommend driving to Kalalau valley lookout for breathtaking views seen above! Personally, I can never just go for a day drive. I have to stretch my legs and with so many hiking opportunites we had to take advantage. We hiked the "Canyon Trail to Waiopo'o falls" and enjoyed it. It's a popular hike in Koke'e State park and is 3 miles RT. It ends at at Waiopo'o falls which is a small waterfall but the views along the way were stunning.
Hike Sleeping Giant
This is one of my favorite hikes in Kauai. It is also called the Nounou Trail. It is located on the East side of the island, making it a very accessible hike if you're staying in this area. It's 4 miles round trip and rewards you with jaw-dropping panoramic views of the island. It's rated as beginner-intermediate.
Ho'opi'i Falls Trail
This is one of my absolute favorite hikes, and that's because of the waterfalls it rewards you with! It's located on the east side, near Kapa'a. It's a 2.4-mile out-and-back trail. If you're feeling adventurous, there are spots along the way to jump in and cool off. Be aware that this hike can be very muddy and can experience flash floods, so always check the weather before embarking and wear sturdy hiking shoes!
Maha'ulepu heritage trail
This is more of a walk than a hike, but it will reward you with the most insane views! You'll have great views of the Pacific Ocean. I love this trail because you're basically walking along the cliffside of the ocean. Look down in the water, and you'll spot lots of turtles. Keep your eyes out for whales jumping in the distance. This is a 2-mile coastal trail (4 miles round trip) that starts at Shipwreck Beach on the south shore.
Okay now that we've scratched the surface on some great hikes let's delve into some other fun things to do!
Take a boat ride along the Napali Coast
This is one of my favorite things we did on Kauai! There are two main options to leave from; either Waimea on the East shore or Hanalei on the North shore. During the winter months most boat tours leave from Waimea due to winter swells.
We saw dolphins, whales and lots of turtles on this tour. It also takes you out to snorkel as well. Note that the whale watching season is December through March so you're more likely too see whales if you go during those times; however there can be more storms in the winter months. We were unfortunatley unable to see the whole Napali Coast due to a winter storm. We still had an incredible experience but we'll have to go back during the summer/fall months to fully experience the Napali coast by boat and would recommend leaving from Hanalei for the full experience!
View Turtles at sunset on Poipu Beach!
We were lucky enough to be staying on Poipu Beach on the South Shore, and this is definitely one of our favorite beaches. According to my research, turtles were not regularly seen at Poipu Beach until after the pandemic in 2020. Because there were so many fewer people in the water and on the beach, the turtles started coming up to shore on Poipu Beach every night right around sunset. And now you can watch the sunset and the turtles come up to the shore to rest right on Poipu Beach! It happened every night that we were there. It was pretty incredible. We also saw monk seals resting on the beach too.
Hanalei Beach on the North Shore
You can't go to Kauai and not see this beach! It's my favorite beach on Kauai. It's stunning, it's big, the views are amazing! It really has it all! Spend the day sun bathing here or come by in the afternoon after hiking in the North shore.
Kilauea Point National Wild life refuge
The Kilauea Point National wildlife refuge is located on the Northern coast of Kauai. And it's set on a stunning location surrounded by rugged coastline and lush greenery. It's a wild life sanctuary for endangered birds such as the Nene Goose, Albatross, frigate birds and red footed boobies.
It's a really great spot to look for whales during the winter season. When we were here in January we saw whales and dolphins off in the distance. You will have to pay $10 per adult to enter but we thought it was worth it.
Wailua Falls
Wailua Falls is located just north of Lihue. You won't have to trek far to see these spectacular two tiered falls. There are designated parking spots, however I recommend getting there early or later in the day since there aren't many spots to park and it fills up fast. From the parking lot it's really just a short walk to the scenic overlook. I recommend adding this on as a pit stop in the morning on your way to another adventure!
Kauai Coffee company
When you're in need of an afternoon pick-me-up, head to Kauai Coffee Company for free coffee tastings! The Kauai Coffee Company is the largest coffee estate in the U.S.! You can take a stroll through their coffee orchard and gift shop while sampling Kauai coffee. They are located on the southwest side of the island, making this a great pit stop on your way to or from Waimea Canyon.
Visit the charming town of Hanapepe
Hanapepe is located on the south side of the island and is often referred to as "Kauai's biggest small town". Hananpepe is a very small town filled with art, culture, cafes and shops. I personally love parking and strolling through this charming town. Stop by Midnight Bear breads and pick up a loaf of fresh baked bread!
My favorite Eats in Kauai
Lava Lava Beach Club is one of my favorite places to eat. They have two locations, one on Kauai and one on the Big Island. While the food is just okay in my opinion, the atmosphere and the vibes are the most fun. You're right on the ocean, which is incredible, especially at sunset, and most of the time they have live music! Come for the vibes for sure!
Little Fish Coffee in Poipu
This was our favorite place for coffee and breakfast in Poipu. They serve up delicious coffee, acai bowls, and our favorite, the breakfast bagels! We had breakfast and coffee here every day on our second trip to Kauai because we were lucky enough to be staying right across the street. If you're in Poipu, this is a great stop on your way to your next adventure!
Merriman's in Poipu
Merriman's is a farm-to-table restaurant overlooking the water. The food is absolutely delicious, and I had my favorite drink, the "Merriman's Mai Tai"! You will need a reservation; they book up fast!
The Tasting Room in Koloa
Old Town Koloa is a short drive up from Poipu, and it was actually one of our favorite areas! There is a cute shopping area here with lots of art galleries, boutiques, and restaurants. We stumbled upon the tasting room and were able to make reservations for the next night. We really enjoyed our meal here.
Tahiti Nui in Hanalei on the North Shore
This was one of our favorite restaurants we ate at! We went for lunch after a hike on the North Shore and it did not dissapoint. I highly recommend their mai tai here! It was delicious!
Aloha Aina Juice Cafe in Lihue
You can't go to Kauai and not get an acai bowl! On a hot day, I love indulging in a delicious acai bowl! My favorite place is Aloha Aina Juice Cafe in Lihue. I love all of their different combinations. You can't go wrong with whatever you choose!
That sums up some of my favorite eats! Let's move on to my favorite places to stay on Kauai!
When it comes to accommodations on Kauai, I will tell you that Kauai is the most expensive island to visit, most likely due to it being one of the smaller islands. The North and South Shore are going to have the most expensive accommodations, while the East Side is considered the more budget-friendly area to stay.
Here are some of my top picks.
This is one of my favorite places that we stayed at. It's an oceanfront resort conveniently located in Lihue, not far from the airport. It's a great home base to explore the island as it's in between both the North and South shore. Our favorite part was waking up each morning and watching the sunrise!
This is a great hotel that is a more budget friendly option and you are still right on the ocean and also right next to "Lava Lava beach club". It's located in Kapa'a making it a great location to explore the island!
Kiahuna Plantation Resort offers vacation condos that you can rent. They are located in Poipu and if you stay here you are just a short walk to the beach! They have different sizes and styles to choose from depending on your party. You can also get ocean view rooms. Note that some of the condos are more on the dated side, so just keep that in mind when you are picking and choosing which one to stay at.
While I haven't stayed on the North Shore yet, I have heard good things about "Turtle Bay Resort" for a luxury stay and "Ke Iki Beach Bungalows" for a mid-range budget option with a range of accommodations, each with access to the beach.
That sums up "The Best Things to do sand see in Kauai"!!! I"m curious. Have you been to Kauai? What am I missing? Let me know in the comments.
Comments